London police seize 11 kegs from parties near Western University

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Cold weather and a heavy police presence in student neighbourhoods — including police Chief Brad Duncan — helped to keep a lid on rowdy St. Patrick’s Day partiers.

All was quiet Monday morning at Fleming Dr., the site of a major riot two years ago in which students pelted dozens of police officers with beer bottles and set a TV news vehicle on fire.

A police cruiser, SUV and van monitored the area near Fanshawe College, but the neighbourhood was calm and there weren’t any student parties.

It was a different story near Western University. By late afternoon, police had seized 11 kegs of beer — nine at a Westview Dr. party, two at a Huron St. gathering — because residents were charging people to drink but didn’t have a licence to sell liquor, police said.

Officers also handed out warnings and tickets on Broughdale Ave. The street near Western was a flashpoint last fall during Homecoming when Western cheerleaders were ticketed by officers for a performance during a party when the neighbourhood was packed with people.

The number of liquor charges won’t be available until Tuesday, London police Const. Ken Steeves said Monday.

He said efforts by police and student leaders to prevent a repeat of the 2012 riot paid off.

“The actions that were displayed that year were unacceptable and will not be tolerated again,” Steeves said. “And we don’t expect them to occur again.”

Police got a big assist from the weather. Monday’s high was –4 C, about 10 degrees below normal. Two years ago, St. Patrick’s Day was on Saturday and the high was in the mid teens, setting the stage for the outdoor party on Flem ing Dr. that spiralled out of control.

“Weather was definitely a contributing factor in the incident,” Steeves said. “It was just something that was unplanned and, for lack of a better word, snowballed.”

Police planned to monitor Richmond Row at night to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers.

Meanwhile, London’s Irish Benevolent Society celebrated the holiday with a luncheon at Western Fair’s Carousel room.

The society began 137 years ago to help Irish immigrants overcome hardship and hostility and today seeks to mend relationships between Catholics and Protestants, president Peter Harding said.

“It’s a great meeting place for people of both faiths,” said Dr. Barrie de Veber, a 30-year member. “There’s hundreds of Irish societies but I can’t think of any as ecumenical as us.”

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SAMPLE TWEETS FROM CHIEF BRAD DUNCAN

9:44 a.m. @lpsmediaoffice Word to the wise, if we tweet a party location would be a good thing to avoid a repeat visit and take appropriate action.

10:14 a.m. @lpsmediaoffice N/S Huron St east of Richmond we on our way, find another place to party. Jumping on roof not a smart idea.

11:52 a.m. @seymourdon @lpsmediaoffice just grabbed two more kegs.

1:02 p.m. @lpsmediaoffice Many thanks to our sworn, civilian and auxiliary members working hard to ensure a safe St. Paddy’s Day. Great work ethic!